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Tennessee State Capitol

4.3 (58 reviews)

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Andrew Jackson
David G.

I love touring state capitols. I love hearing the history told by passionate guides. I love the history. Unfortunately, I wasted $50 in Uber fees to get down here and back just to hear from the gal at the desk, who was the guide, who was enjoying being in her phone more than the history that was around her, tell me she wouldn't do a tour for one person. What? C'mon, man. If I had that job I'd be wanting to get out of my chair and walk around. Not this one. She told me to "take the unguided tour." If I wanted that one I could've done it online, which she apparently prefers as she can't get off her phone. Not really Southern Hospitality. At all. So I took the unguided tour and it was as bland as you'd expect. I asked her on the way out where Polk's final resting place was. She looked up at me long enough to explain that so I'll give it two stars, I reckon. I mean, c'mon, man.

Jimmie W.

Most beautiful state capitol in United States of America. The complex is atop of hill and very picturesque. Nashville is a growing, thriving community filled with rich history.

Jeremy J.

We were walking around O Fallon, different public, art and landmarks in statues and we had a good time. This is a nice spot to check out. It's got plenty of everything you want to see.

Ceiling and chandelier. The second floor is under construction.
Mary T.

I truly need to focus on visiting state capitols more often. Before visiting this state capitol, the only one that I had visited was the one in Saint Paul, MN. I don't know why I stopped because I enjoyed that visit. It's free to visit a state capitol. If you are new to the city where one is, it's a great learning experience. Did I mention free? Yep, keep some money for souvenirs! On my first full day in Nashville, I hit the Tennessee state capitol. I'm glad that I kicked it off early. It was the least humid day out my entire trip. It was humid, but it didn't have an excessive heat warning tagged to it. I parked in the lot next to St. Mary of the Seven Sorrows. You know you are in good hands when your car is next to a church. It's also easy to find when you look for a steeple. It was a couple of blocks away from the state capitol. You can't park in front of it because all the parking around the building is reserved. State police are there like hawks, so it's best to park in a valid, safe place. There was construction happening both outside and inside the capitol building. There are stairs to get you up and down it. However, if you have accessibility needs, I didn't see a way to get a wheelchair up all those steps. There is air conditioning inside. What a relief! I spoke to a security guy when I first entered. You do need to go through a metal detector. I elected to take off my wrist splint before going through it. He was okay if i had left it on, which was sweet. Then again, I didn't want to set off the alarm and startle folks. I cleared it fine and put my splint back on. If you have a purse, he does ask that you open it up so he can look into it. The second floor is where you can see the House of Representatives in session. Since it was closed for construction, I have no idea what it looks like up there. I'll need to return whenever I'm back in Nashville. The first floor is pretty. It's marble everywhere. You have each past Govenor's oil painting displayed through the hallways. There are also a few busts of important representatives to appreciate. I elected to do a self-guided tour. You can also sign up or a 45-minute one if you need a guide and don't want to read as much. The ceilings are gorgeous, as is the lighting. Do look up. It's worth it. I spent a lot of time in the old supreme court chamber. It was fascinating. I learned so much from the information in front of the room and inside it. It is nicely maintained. You also get a nice shot of flags, both for the state and country. There are statues outside the capitol, too. There are a couple of Andrew Jackson. The larger one required timing when the maintenance working took a break from doing his work around it. I ended up taking a photo when he stepped away briefly. You have the option of picking up a free Tennessee Blue Book as a souvenir. It's published once every two years. It contains cool facts about the state, people, and more. It's essentially a book with lots of statistics. It's up my alley, but it was over 400 pages and it was pretty heavy to lug around. I had a great experience as a tourist. I recommend dropping by to check it out whenever you're visiting Nashville. (249)

Camille C.

Enjoy visiting state capitols and Nashville was no different. Open Mondays-Fridays. Parking was a bit tricky but found a few blocks away on the street. Rich in history and art, worth a visit. And if you time it right, tours are also available. Take the kids, it's free.

State Library/ Legislative Lounge
Vic C.

When I travel to other states, I like to visit the State Capitol if I am able to. What is really great about state capitols is that they are always free, and you have an opportunity to learn about the history of the state. My husband and I visited Tennessee's state capitol back in December. During that time, there were no group tours (but have since resumed) and picked up a visitor guide which provided a very informative tour of two of the floors inside and also outside. The architect for the state capitol was William Strickland, in which you can see his portrait on the first floor (he was actually buried on the northeast corner of the capitol grounds in a tomb structure that was designed by himself). There is also a portrait of Andrew Jackson (the 7th president of the US, he also served as the elected judge of Tennessee's superior court), James K Polk (the 11th president of the US, interestingly he and his wife, Sarah, are buried on the capitol grounds, in the East Garden. After former president Polk's home was sold and later demolished, his tomb was moved to the state capitol grounds), Andrew Johnson (the 17th president of the US, he was the only US president to serve as US Senate after his presidential term). When you take the stairs up to the second floor, there is a noticeable chip in the handrail (and the wall), which is believed to be from a bullet that was fired from the stairs above during a fight in the legislature over the ratification of the 14th amendment in 1866. Once upstairs on the 2nd floor, in the center of the hallway there are these beautiful gasolier lamps, which are beautifully crafted. These lights have been converted from gas to electricity in 1895. During our self-guided tour, we were able to visit the House of Representatives room since there was no meeting in session. The House chamber holds 99 members. We were also able to visit the Senate chamber due to no meeting in session as well. The Senate has 33 members and there is a beautiful gasolier lamp in the middle of the room. We also were able to visit the State Library (also know to be called the Legislative Lounge), which is down the hall from the Senate chamber). But the State Library may be closed if a meeting is being held in there. This library has been restored to its mid 19th century appearance. What you may notice as soon as you come into this room is the original spiral staircase. You may also notice another beautiful gasolier lamp that is right next to the spiral staircase. This state capitol is one of 12 state capitols that does not have a dome. The State Capitol is located in downtown Nashville, specifically on the highest point on top of a hill (which was purposely picked for the capitol to be built on). It took about 15 years for the State Capitol to be built. Because I came during the month of December, the State Capitol was decorated with garland, red bows, poinsettias and Christmas trees (there are glass ornaments that were hung on the trees, whom I suspect were painted by the staff here). I spent a little over an hour here going through the self tour and looking at everything inside and most of highlighted items from the self tour, on the outside. When we came, it was pretty much empty (which was nice and quiet). But typically state capitols aren't normally that crowded (at least all the many ones that I have visited so far, which is over half of the US). Parking can be a challenge. We were lucky that we stayed at a hotel that provided free shuttle, that dropped us off at the bottom of the hill so we didn't have to worry about that. It is worth a visit to the State Capitol if you are visiting Nashville and at hour of time to give. Maybe even consider joining in on the free docent led tours (which takes about 45 minutes).

David D.

No trip to Nashville is complete without a visit to the State Capitol building. It's really beautiful inside and after you pass through security you immediately feel the difference between life in California controlled by Democrats vs. this Republican controlled State. It's a step back in time to when you did not have to worry so much about expenses, crime, and a more friendly peoples. Very interesting is that so many times on our trip to Tennessee, locals including the assistant to a representative at the capitol asked us where were from and when we said California, they presumed we were looking to move to Nashville.

Tennessee State Capitol

During my 2022 trip to Nashville, I stayed at the Capitol Hotel, and we could see the state capitol from our room. Our tour of the Tennessee State Capitol was top notch, replete with great history. We visited several rooms in the building, including where the legislature sits. It's a stately building with an ideal location in the city, and walking the grounds is a great experience also. If you're in Nashville, I'd thoroughly recommend touring the state capitol. A truly classic southern building.

Brian P.

I love visiting state capitols, so this was at the top of my list on my recent and first time visit to Nashville. The capitol building is atop Capitol Hill, which requires you to go up many steps to reach the building, especially if you walk from Bicentennial Park like we did! You can walk around the first and second floors on your own, or join a short 30-40 min guided tour. Guided tours start at the first floor information desk Monday through Friday on the hour between 9 AM and 3 PM. Be sure to check out the old/original Supreme Court chambers on the first floor, as well as the galleries for the House and Senate chambers on the second floor.

Laurie V.

Lovely state Capitol building and very imperious, standing atop a hill over Nashville. I did a self guided tour and found it to be just magnificent inside, especially the library with its restored spiral staircase, which was original to the building In 1859. The ornate ceilings, the busts, the portraits, the flooring, and the architecture are just stunning, if not a bit imposing. I've now visited 18 State Capitol Buildings. While this is not my favorite one, it is a very lovely one, well worth a visit.

Chandler

This is a nice state capital. We got a very good tour guide who was very knowledgeable on the capital and just a good person. I would highly recommend taking the tour if available. It is a trek to get to the capital, it is on large hill so be prepared for that. It was not very busy. Overall recommend to anyone.

Rumit P.

We missed our opportunity to go in and do a tour, but we were able to explore the grounds, take some unique shots of the city from the Capitol, and encounter some skateboards and teens acting a fool while their parents cheered them on. Parenting. Built in the 1840s and 50s, the architecture borrows from the Greeks and is really incredibly detailed and visually impressive. High on a hilltop and boasting incredible views of the city, this stunning white building was designed by Mr. William Strickland who had ties to both Philly and Nashville and whose final resting place is inside the building. Creepy but also kinda cool. Statues of both Presidents Andrew Jackson and Andrew Johnson (Tennesseeans) are on the grounds. The building is the site of the governor's office. Definitely worth the visit if you can climb all those stairs. Take breaks, bring water, make jokes about your inability to climb, and be wary of the many, many homeless people (some are aggressive) on the grounds.

Tennessee capitol
Christian L.

The Tennessee Capitol in Nashville is another beautiful architectural dome. Matches the other columns and the Parthenon. It sits high up on a hill in the center of town. On stairs on both sides there were folks running, post-Covid. It's almost yellow at dusk. Pristine view. Rebel review: 5

Front steps looking up at capital.

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Ask the Community - Tennessee State Capitol

Review Highlights - Tennessee State Capitol

Statues of both Presidents Andrew Jackson and Andrew Johnson (Tennesseeans) are on the grounds.

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Ghost Ballet for East Bank Machineworks

Ghost Ballet for East Bank Machineworks

4.6(5 reviews)
0.9 miDowntown

This is a cool piece of art and great for photo ops…read more We came here to get on our cruise and came across this gem Ghost Ballet, is a public art installation and modern sculpture at the east bank of the Cumberland River between Nissan Stadium and the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge in Nashville, Tennessee. It was designed by Alice Aycock

When I virtually walked Nashville, Tennessee through the live streams that would connect me to…read moreMusic City U.S.A., before our vacation there, I would see this very unique landmark at the easternmost fringes of Broadway. It is unique in that it looks like towering fragments of twisted red roller coaster tracks towering above a historic strip of honkey tonk. Throughout my pre-Nashville virtual walks through live streams, I would see "Ghost Ballet" when walking virtually East on Broadway and at the start of a virtual walk along the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Eighteen years after this Alice Aycock work of art was completed in 2007, we got to see it when we vacationed in Nashville from June 23 to June 29, 2025. In similar fashion to the live streams that I virtually walked, my eyes took it in when they looked east on Broadway. In actuality, "Ghost Ballet" is on the East bank of the Cumberland River horizontal to Broadway. Broadway concludes at the Riverfront Park which fronts the Cumberland River in Downtown Nashville. This is where I spent several minutes looking across the Cumberland River at a vista where "Ghost Ballet" visually dances between Nissan Stadium and the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. When I write "visually dances," I describe some of the meaning of the artwork that looks like twisted roller coaster tracks. According to Wikipedia, Alice Aycock,who created it was attentive to the way it changes shapes the way the person moves around it from the numerous viewing points in Downtown. This movement reminded her of dance movements, hence the name of "Ghost Ballet." When I looked across the Cumberland River at "Ghost Ballet,"was I looking at the remnants of a riverside theme park?" In actuality the red twisted metal is actually railroad-like red twisted twisted that pay tribute to the railroad heritage along the Cumberland River. The Cumberland River with "Ghost Ballet" as the centerpiece made for some camera candy. The vintage point from Riverfront Park is a prime Nashville photo spot. I also took in a higher elevation view of the"Ghost Ballet " from the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Standing at 100 feet tall and 100 feet wide, from viewing it on the higher elevation of the bridge, it appeared that I was looking straight at it instead of below. Come to think of it, this might of made for a Four Star roller coaster. In conclusion, I rate "Ghost Ballet" Four Stars for being a very visually appealing work of public art and a landmark.

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Ghost Ballet for East Bank Machineworks
Ghost Ballet for East Bank Machineworks
Ghost Ballet for East Bank Machineworks

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Customs House

Customs House

5.0(2 reviews)
0.5 miSobro, Downtown

Great building with tons of history and character.... also where I had to go to court.....This…read morebuilding is AMAZING...I had to go here today for court..so I was so excited to able to enter the building. There is a historical market: The cornerstone was laid Sept. 19, 1877, by President Rutherford B. Hayes on the first visit of a president to the South since the Civil War. Opened in 1882 at 701 Broadway, it originally housed the city's post office on the ground floor. The federal Treasury Department offices were on the second, and Justice Department and courtrooms on the third I went a little early so I could walk around the building and take some really nice photos of this building..The character of the Architecture reminds me of Victorian Artistry.. Additional Historical information I found on the internet about this building: A beautiful, stately, ornate building that served the Nashville area for almost a century before being cast aside, the Customs House is a reminder of what government can do right with architecture. It is one of the finest pieces of Victorian architecture in Tennessee and was abuzz with activity until the late 20th century when the United States government decided it didn't want the building anymore. Fortunately, the Nashville Metropolitan Government did, and took possession of the building for redevelopment. 1877 - The cornerstone of this building is laid by President Hayes. 1882 - The clock tower is completed. 1903 - The rear portion of the building is completed. 1916 - The wings of the building are completed. 1972 - The building is added to the National Register of Historic Places. 1979 - Ownership is transferred from the federal government to the local government. When President Rutherford B. Hayes laid the cornerstone of the Customs House on September 19, 1877, it symbolized the end of Southern Reconstruction after the Civil War. Approval for a federal building dates to 1856, but construction delays and the Civil War caused Nashville to wait for more than twenty years for a facility to house federal courts, customs, and post office. Treasury architect William Appleton Potter designed this grand example of the Victorian Gothic style. From its massive yet ornate stone block a central clock tower soars. The many rich details, such as the Gothic lancet windows and a deeply inset triple-arch entrance, make this an exceptional example of Victorian Gothic architecture. In the 1990s the Customs House was declared surplus property by the federal government and was turned over to Metro Nashville government which worked toward its renovation and reuse. The building is now leased from the city by a private firm which renovated its interior and leases the space to office tenants - a significant milestone in historic preservation in Nashville. I am not sure if everyone is interested in the historical aspect of the building, this surplus Federal Property is now owned by Nashville Metro. I hope it is NEVER DESTROYED...

If you got some time to do some sightseeing this is a great building to take a few moments to…read moreappreciate! The design of the building was just beautiful. With the crazy life of bars, listening to music, hopping from place to place in downtown, this was a great place to just sit and admire the building. Take a few pictures of this place some up close on the sidewalk and maybe even across the street if your into the whole I need an entire full length picture. Traffic does not seem to be busy at all during the week around 7-8ish.

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Customs House
Customs House - Front entrance.

Front entrance.

Customs House

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John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge - Climbing up the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge. Date: June 24, 2025.

John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge

4.6(138 reviews)
0.7 miDowntown

The longest pedestrian bridge. Sucha beautiful place. Ended up going to a rooftop restaurant…read morenearby. You dont get tired walking this bridge even though it is long because it is so pretty the view

The John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge, which spans across the Cumberland River in downtown…read moreNashville, opened on July 5, 1909 and was called the Shelby Street Bridge. In 1998, the bridge was closed to vehicles due to its poor condition and was slated to be demolished; instead, it was converted to a pedestrian only bridge. It was renamed the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge in April 2014 to honour journalist and civil rights advocate John Seigenthaler, who died of colon cancer in July 2014. The bridge is apparently an iconic Nashville landmark, and several country music videos have been filmed on the bridge. However, I didn't find the bridge that interesting. It took about ten minutes to walk over the bridge, one way (and I was taking my time), and there was construction blocking areas of the bridge. Also, there were so many assholes on bikes and scooters zooming by, nearly hitting pedestrians, despite signs to dismount. I walked across the bridge since I was in the area and I had some time to kill, but I wouldn't go out of my way to walk across the bridge. The bridge definitely does not compare to the Big Four Bridge in Louisville. [Yelp collections: Nashville, TN 2026; Bridges and Castles]

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John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge - To bridge

To bridge

John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge - Construction on the bridge.

Construction on the bridge.

John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge - Bridge at night

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Bridge at night

Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery - Mint Julep

Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery

4.2(491 reviews)
6.2 mi
$$

I'm honestly not sure what the bad reviews are about here. People are saying that they're just…read moreglorifying the family, and not touching on the history of slavery, etc. We took a guided tour here in our trip to Nashville, and our tour guide was so knowledgeable. She touched on the good and the ugly. I didn't feel like she was "glorifying" anything. It's almost like some people just don't like history. History can be ugly somtimes, news flash. I love historical places and this place was cool! You really feel the energy here. It's pretty cool. The only part that sucks is that you're not allowed to take photos. Prices are good for toure too. It comes with a wine tasting at the end and a couple of them were super tasty! And I don't even like wine.

Visited Belle Meade Plantation & Winery and it left a bad taste in my mouth - literally and…read morefiguratively. The tour focused on glorifying the slave owners' "heritage" while minimizing the enslaved people who actually built the wealth and success of this place. That kind of selective storytelling is disrespectful. The wine tasted awful once I realized the truth was being watered down. Seeing people arrive for a wedding on the grounds as we were leaving? Disgusting. Celebrating on land rooted in exploitation, without fully honoring that history, is not romantic. It's erasure. I don't do rewritten history. Tell the whole truth or don't tell it at all.

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Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery - Sippin' Figgy

Sippin' Figgy

Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery
Belle Meade Historic Site & Winery - Off to the Races

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Off to the Races

Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge

Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge

4.7(26 reviews)
5.7 miDonelson

We went Walking the Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge and it was one of the most memorable parts…read moreof my Nashville trip. From the moment you step onto it, the view of the river and skyline is breathtaking especially at sunset when the lights start to dance off the water. The bridge itself feels open and welcoming, perfect for a leisurely stroll, a thoughtful moment, or an iconic photo op. It's peaceful yet energized, a great way to experience the city from a fresh perspective and soak in those Nashville vibes. Whether you're there in the early morning calm or with the city lights aglow at night, this bridge is a must see and absolutely earns five stars. Take your family and go get some fun photos and memories.

If you have ever driven down Briley Parkway, there is a good chance you have seen the Cumberland…read moreRiver Pedestrian Bridge, which is situated just beyond or before Opry Mills, depending on which way you are headed. The bridge connects Two Rivers Park to the Nashville Greenway, and offers gorgeous views of the Cumberland River no matter the season. The bridge also provides a great backdrop for photo ops of all kinds. Every time I am on the bridge, there is some sort of photo shoot going on whether it be amateur or professional, and I bet the photos turn out amazing! Getting to the bridge can seem tricky, but best bet is Two Rivers Park, which leads you right to the bridge from their main lot just off of Briley Parkway. It's a landmark of the start and end of all my walks from Two Rivers onto the Greenway, and I enjoy crossing it any chance I get!

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Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge - Tool Fire sculpture

Tool Fire sculpture

Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge
Cumberland River Pedestrian Bridge

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Tennessee State Capitol - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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